Automatic graphite-lubricating system for internal-combustion-engine cylinders



J. D. LOOG.

AUTOMATIC GRAPHITE LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CYLINDERS.

7 APPLICATION FILED IULY 8.!919- 1,353,055. Patented Sept. 14, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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WITNESSES I T III/VENTOR m g JOH/VD. L006 A TTORNEYS I. D. L006.

AUTOMATIC GRAPHITE LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CYLINDERS.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY 8,1919. 1,353,055. PatentedSept. 14, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR IIIIi iI I WW I 29 ATTORNEYS J. D. LOGG.

AUTOMATIC GRAPHITE LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CYLINDERS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8.1919.

1 ,35 3,05 5 Patented Sept. 14, 1920.

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5 II c-(c-q 3 IIIIIII 133 -III( WITNESSES INVENTOR I A TTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. LQOG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AU'roMArIo enarnrrn-wnmca'rme svsrnm Fort INTERNAL-COMBUSTION-ENGINE CYLINDERS. Y a g Specification oiietters Patent. Patented Sept, 14,, 1920.

Application filed m a, 1919., Serial No. 30 ,275.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, JoHN D. Loos, a citizen of the'United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of the Bronx,

in the county of the Bronx and State of ystem for Internal Combustion Engine Cylinders, of which thefollowing is a full,

clear, and exact description.

7 This invention relates tolubrication of. combustion engines, particularly to an improved system of lubrication" in which hi h grade, finely divided, flaked graphite is irectly admitted into the cylinders of such engines without loss of'compression and at a rate predetermined and proportioned to stroke and speed of the piston.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved lubricating system for cylinders of combustion engines which will operate satisfactory. with one, or any numher of cylinders of the different types of such engines, and to operate without the necessityof structural changes of such engines, and of such construction that the improved lubricating system may be assembled" and properly adjusted ready to be set up.

A further obJect of .the invention is to operate the system automatically by the suction stroke of the engine in such manner that the graphite may .freely pass directly into the cylinders, without the possibility of clogging the ducts, and that the graphite on reachin the c. linders there be distributed wit the he p of the inrushing gasvapor on the walls of the cylinder where it forms a permanent lubricating film.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby a maximum charge of graphite may be. admitted to help the priming operation, also to rovide means for the general operation w ereby a predetermined uniform charge is admitted continuously'to maintain the permanent lubricating film above referred to.

In the accompanying drawings:

I Figure 1 is a top plan view of an inter is very problematical.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 2 on line 33.

Fig. 4 is a sect onal view through Fig. 3 online44. I

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a portion of the valvemember.

Fig. 5 is a-view similarto Fig. 4, but showing the parts in another position.

Flg. 6 is a fragmentary sectional viewshowing the connection between the-line pipes and the supply reservoir, the same embodying certain eatures of the invention.

Fig. is a. transverse sectional I view through Fig. 4 on line 7-7.

Fig. 8is adetailed view showing the end of the plunger control rod embodying certain features of the-invention.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged face view of the reg ulating dial shown in section in F ig.'4. v

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view through Fig. 1, 10-10.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a V-type of engine showing an embodiment of theinvention applied thereto.

The character of the fuel used in combustion engines is fully known to the general public, the method of lubricating of the engine is the sole object of this invention. The fact has to be admitted by. all

interested in the manufacture and use of combustion engines. that up to the present time the lubrication of the fourth, or as approximately on 7 line termed exhaust stroke of a four cycle engine This same fact refers to a two cycle engine where firing of the charges takes-place on' every. second stroke of the engine and in this case the compression. stroke and part of the stroke operate with very little of the ubri- .cating oil left to form a lubricating film. The extremely hightemperature in the cylinders will consume all the oil present, as there are no lubricating oils produced having a flash point which will not be aifected by the heat of 1400 to 3000 F. created by the firingof the gas charges. To remedy this condition the addition of graphite to the lubricating oil is made possible by the invention describeclherein. Graphite has the quality to withstand heat, and will fur-v nish an excellent lubricating film with the oil absorbed by it, as such a film is highly ower viscous it forms a lubricant which will fill up all clearances and will furnish a lubricant for the piston during the firing stroke, as it will not burn up under the heat conditions created in any combustion engines, of which there are two principal groups, the explosive types and the slow burning Diesel types, a permanent lubricating film being retained in all these types. The heavy body of the lubricant automatically excludes superfluous lubricating oil from entering the cylinders, whereby all carbon deposits are eliminated, as the heat will gasify some of the oil constituting the lubricating film the released graphite will pass out with the exhaust, requiring continuous renewal of the oil and graphite film, which is provided for by the micrometric close regulation of feed. The reduction in consumption of oil will be found considerable, and will affect the costof operation in proportion, as the consumption of graphite is only a trifle in roportion of the saving of oil effected. he presence of the graphite in the cylinders will not affect the proper process of explosion or slow burning of the gas charges, the small proportion of graphite which may find its way to the reservoir of the engine will only help the lubricationof the crank shaft. For illustration it may be stated that the standard supply port for automobile engines is of a 32" diameter divided into ten different stopsby the valve member, this willfully illustrate the amount of graphite consumed with the .lubrication described in this invention, the port being generally kept closed half way or less in proportion during normal oper ation.

The heavy viscous body of the lubricant above describe'dwill affect the compression of the engine favorably, as all parts of the cylinder will be kept filled up permitting close fitting rings so that none of the compression will be lost, and thereby permit the operationof the engine with lean charges of gas.

In the accompanying drawings one embodiment of the invention is shown inconnection with a four cycle four cylinder en gine as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the type principally used on automobiles, trucks, and the like. As indicated in these figures the supply reservoir 1 is connected with a suitable control construction 2, which in turn is connected with the main line supply pipes 3 and 4 constituting line ducts extending These line ducts are divided into secalso to fittings in the end cylinders whereby the graphite may freely ass to-all of the cylinders as required. e respective fittings 14 are identical and the respective fittings 16 are identical, in fact the fittings 14 and 16 are identical except that the fitidentical and illustrated more particularly in Fig. 10. This fitting has been found to be a desirable construction, but it will be understood that other forms and various modifications thereof could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. As shown in Fig. 10, fitting 14 is pro-' videdwith a T-union 14 having the usual union ring 10 so that when applying the union the priming cup 15 is removed from the engine and the union male section 10' is screwed in its place, after which the union ring 10 is tightened. This will complete the application of the union to the engine. To provide a proper priming, cup 15 is mounted on the upper end of the union 14 designed to act in the usual manner. This same operation is carried out on all of the cylinders and when completed the device is in condition for operation. In connection with the T-union 14 fittings 16 and 14 are used, consisting of valve chambers 9,

same being threaded into the union as shown in Fig. 10, said chamber havin a valve seat 19 for receiving the valve mem er 22, which.

valve member is provided with a valve rod or stem 21 which extends throughthe chamber and through an opening in the restricted end 20, which restricted end is also threaded exteriorly and provided with a'socket for receiving the part of the spring .24. The,

extreme end-of the stem 21' is provided with a groove for receiving a U-key 23, which key is of an old and well known construe-I tion, and consists of a form of. a U-shaped straddling member engaging the groove on the stem 21 seated ina recessed washer 23. In order to prevent any leakage around the valve stem21 and also to protect the spring 24 and associate parts, a cap 25 is threaded on to the restricted end 20. The valve 22, shown particularly in Fig. 10, is normally held seated by the spring 24 acting on washer 23, but is opened by the suction roduced by the suction stroke of the piston.

alve 22 is provided and its function is to admit'the graphite charges at a given time without the slightest loss to the compression of the engine, cap 25 being formed with a hexagon shaped nut, so that a wrench may be used thereon. It will be noted that the'valve 22 remains seated during the compression, power and exhaust strokes of the 3,0 to supply the desired graphite charge for the lubrication of the ,two cylinders which are fired together, and which are located on opposite sides of the reservoir.

Referring to the supplying of the graphite to the ducts 3 and 4 itvwill be seen from Fig. 4 that the graphite will readily pass into and through port 31 by reason of the small volume of air passing through air port 31. This air passes into the reservoir 1 and consequently prevents a vacuum form'- ing therein so that the vibration of the engine will always cause a proper amount of graphite to pass freely through passage 31 into bore 29,and from thence be drawn into the respective cylinders' During the suction stroke the graphite will readily-pass through the ducts 3 and 4 to the particular 1 cylinders with the valve members 22 unseated. As soon as the pistons, on the suction stroke, reach their lower dead center the valves 22 will automatically close under the action'of their springs 24 so that, the flow of graphite into the cylinders Wlll cease.

Referring more particularly to the controlling. member 2, it will be seen from Figs. 4, 5 and 6 that it is rovided w1th a casing 25 merging into a -shaped extension 26 into which the line, pipes or ducts 3 and 4 are screwed. vThe .T-shaped ex-' tension 26 is also provided with an abutting. flange 28 and an .exteriorly threaded boss 27 located centrally in respect to the reservoir 1 and the ducts 3 and 4. This:

. appreciable angle to the bore 29 and consequently the port or opening is elongated as it merges into bore 29. This is easily pro- 50 vided by running a small drill through the extension 26 so as to form both the passageways 31 and 31 which by one operation provides a passageway for the graphite and also a passageway for air to the reservoir. This arrangementis preferable, though if desired the passageway 31 could be made vertical or at some other angle than that shown, the object being to locate the opening of the, port 31 well inward oraway from the entrance of duct 3 so that it, may

be readily covered by the plunger 30 when ever desired. The valve member. or plunger when moved thereover, though allowing the is provided with a notched flange 47 and with a sleeve 38 merging into a reduced portion (Fig. 4). v The reduced portion of said sleeve 38 is provided with an operating bore for stem 32, merging in an enthe spring 33 surrounding the stem 3 larged bore for the housing of spring 33, v

on the shoulder formed at the merglng point of the two bores spring 33 bears with one end, the tension of said spring is held at .per inch, to eflect a linear movement of plunger valve member 3O bearing against flange 39 acted on by spring 33, on a full I turn of sleeve 38 carrying bushings 39, the extent of the linear movement of the plun er to e ual the full diameter of post 31. urroun ing sleeve 38 and threaded to the bushing ,39 is an auxiliary or outer sleeve '40, provided with flange 41. The spring 44 surrounds the auxiliary sleeve 40 and bears with one end against flange 41,- the other end of spring 44 bears against nut 45, said nut threaded into casing 25, so as to normally hold the flange 41 of sleeve 40 against the shoulder 42 of casing 25, though allowing the same to be moved therefrom as shown in Fig. 5, when pulled in direct line therefrom. In order to allow this reciproeating movement of auxiliary sleeve 40 without a rotating movement, a groove 40' is machined from the end of said sleeve 40 extending across nut 45, as shown in Fig. 4, in which the stud end of locking set-screw 50 fits, the said screw fixes nut 45 in its proper alinement with relation .to casing 25 and sleeve 40 in passing through both the stock of the casing and the nut, these being provided with suitable tapped holes. It will be noted that the-nut 45 is provided with suitable openings 48' for receiving a spanner wrench, while theflange 47 is also provided with correiponding openings as shown in Fi 4, said ange in addition being provided for'receiving a small projection or wedge rigidly connected with the spring 49, which spring is fastened to the casing25 by one with notches 48 1 or more suitable screws threaded into the casing 25. This spring extends for a suitable length and acts as points for, the dial 52 on the cap 51 as well as locking means for preventing the accidental rotation of the head. Thecap 51 is'threaded on to the head 46 and isprovided with a central opening 53 so as to freely admit air wlnle a perforated, or very fine wire mesh disk 53 1s used for preventin sleeve 38 is preferably of the same diameter as the casing 25, the location of the flange 47 being determined by the range of the a justmentv required to close port 31. When the head 46, of which flange 47 and inner sleeve 38 form an integral part, is rotated in one direction a complete revolution, bushing 39 with its flange 39 will move together with sleeve 38 and valve 30 until the valve 30 is moved fully acro ss the openin of ort 31 bringing thenotched flange 4 to ear against the end of casing ,25' and sleeve 40, said sleeve terminating at this point, in reversing the turning motion a full revolution the flange 39 is brought to bear against flange 41 showing a clearance between casin 25 and flange 47 equal to the diameter 0 v seen that both of the flanges 39 and 47 act as stops to the turning motion of the head any intermediate position will repre- 47 an sent the degree of opening of port 31. In connection 'with the valve 34 it will be noted that the same has a three-fold function, namely, it operates the valve, member 30 so as to uncover port 31, as a valve member for permitting 'for a. short time a small quantity of air to enter in order that the suction may move'the plunger or valve 30 and the graphite charges through the ducts, v and also acts as means when head 46 is pulled out to cause plunger 30 "to move to av full open' position as shown in Fig. 5.

'Unless some opening was provided back of the plunger or valve 30 the suction of the respect ve pistons would have no action on this valve',-=so=that the arrangement of the valve 34'is essential,, and is such thatwhen the suction'f 1beg1 ns fto' 'movethe valve 30 it will also mo avuve-si to. -a' closed position.-

' This backand' idrthmovement is the norm'al operation of th'e system when the en- 'ne is properly functioning However, to

elp the primlng ofthe en e when first starting the same the hea I sha ed'as a handleilis' pulled out as shown in ig. 5 so that t e port 31 will be fully uncovered, thus permitting. a maximum charge of graphite 'toenter each of the cylinders during thefirst few seconds of the operation of the en 'ne. As the arts are pulled to the positionshown in ig. 5 a

maximum supply of graphite will be pro' foreign matter. from enterin the head. T e annular flange 47, preferab y formed integral with the the port 31. It will thus be 46, which is vided which will soon hel to fill up the clearance present in the co d engine c'a'u'sed by the shrinkage of metal. The improved inlet valve for the gas is opened at the same time asthe automatic valve 22 whereby by the inrushing gas the grit hite will-be carried around the walls of t e cylinder where the graphite'will absorb any free 'oil in its reach and thereby form a proper permanent heavy body of lubricant, excluding any superfluous oil from thecylinders.

In providing a lubricating system embodying the invention it is aimed to cona struct the complete system atthe-factory and adjust the same to any particular type:

ich the .,com- 1 pleted, adjusted device. is shi pedto'the 'purof engine desired, after 'w chaser ready to be a'dplie .to the engine without a complicate operation. having applied the various-T-unions 14- in After v I place of the. priming cups a'nd j then .replac ing the primingcups j15j'on top of the' T- unions the devlce is ready for .o ration.

It wil1,of course, be understoo that-a.

proper supply of graphite ofthe" proper tnough the adjustment of any-parts-is not necessary. v

To apply the lubricating system. above described to a V-shapedtype engine, the regulating mechanism with the reservoir is racket and is connected by the main supply ducts 54 and'55 intothe T placed on the line pipes ,3 and'4 (Fig. 11),. which'are arranged. on the same principle as shown laced on a centrally located suitable- 10a grade must be provided. in;.:reservoir 1,

in Figs. 1 and 2. The distribution of the graphite takes place on the same rinci le as 1n the four cylinderlengines, as t e firing.

of the two cylinders is a ways arranged to take place on both sides of the crankshaft to actuate a well balanced operation of the jengme, consequently the suction strokes by the pistons are taken in the samejrotation thus dividing the graphite and causing the same to move in both'directions.

What I claimis 1. A graphite lubricating system for internal combustion engines comprising a central container, a fitting for each cylinder of said engine, distributing pipes extending from. the container to the respective fittings,

a regulating member for regulating the d1scharge of graphite to said pi said regu lating member being formed with means for discharging graphite and air into said pipes simultaneously for a short time at the beginning of the suction stroke of the engine, said means closing before the suction stroke has been completed, and an automatic valve arranged in each of said fittings for preventing a loss in compression on the suction stroke.

2. A graphite lubricating system for internal combustion engines comprising a container, a fittin for each cylinder in said engine, distributing ducts extending from the container to the respective fittings, a regulating member for regulating the discharge of graphite to said ducts, said regulating member being formed with means for discharging graphite into said ducts and a small quantity of air simultaneously therewith, an automatically actuated valve for shutting off the air to said ducts immediately after the discharge of the {graphite into said ducts whereby only a su cient amount of air is admitted to said ducts to permit the passage of the graphite to the engine, and an automatically actuated valve arranged in each of said fittings for preventing a loss in compression.

3. A graphite lubricating system for internal combustion engines comprising a reservoir, means for iding graphite to the respective cylinders rom the reservoir, and means for regulating the passage of graphite from the reservoir to said guiding means, said regulating means comprising a casing having a feeding passageway merging into a discharge bore, a valve member slidingly mounted in the discharge bore and tioned to move across the opening 0 the feeding passageway, rotatable means for adjusting said valve member micrometrically back and forth in said bore across said passageway, and manually actuated means for bodily moving said valve member longitudinally of said bore away from said feeding passageway.

4. graphite lubricating system of the character described comprising a supply reservoir, a system of piping for leading graphite to the various cylinders. of an engine, and means for regulating the supply of graphite leaving said reservoir, said means comprising a casing having a comparatively small passageway and a valve bore into which the supply passageway merges, a sliding valve member leading into said bore and ositioned to close said passageway when 111 a predetermined position, a sleeve fitting into said casing, a valve stem fitted on said valve, said stem fitting in said sleeve, a spring surrounding said stem and acting on one end thereof and on said sleeve, a second sleeve threadedover the first mentioned sleeve, a spring for normally holding the second sleeve in a given position, a head connected with the first mentioned sleeve,

said head being manually operated against the action of said secondmentioned spring whereby the valve member is bodily moved away from said passageway, and means for locking said sleeve against rotation.

, 5. In a graphite lubricating system of the character described, a system'of piping leading to the various cylinders of the engine, a supplyreservoir for supplying graphite to said piping, and a regulating construction for regulating the passage of graphite from the reservoir, said regulating construction comprising a casing having a feeding passageway and a valve bore, said feeding passageway merging into the valve bore, a cylindrical valve member slidingly fitted in said valve bore adapted to open and close said passageway, a rotatable manually operated. head, means for connecting the head with said valve member in such a, manner that when the head is rotated the valve member will be adjusted longitudinally of said bore for opening or closing to a greater or less extent said passageway according to the degree of movement of said head, and a locking spring carried by the casing engaging part of the head for locking same against accidental rotation.

6. A graphite lubricating system of the 7 character described comprising a system of piping leading to the various cylinders of an engine, a supply reservoir for supplying graphite to said piping, and a regulating construction for regulating the passage of graphite from the reservoir into said piping, said regulating construction comprlsing a casing having a feeding passageway, a valve member for opening and closing said passageway, a rotatable manually operated head, a sleeve connected with said head having an externally threaded section and a flange, a reciprocating sleeve arranged in said casing threaded on to said threaded section and extending to near one end of the casing whereby when the headis turned in one direction the sleeve and its flange will press against the sliding sleeve, and when thehead is rotated in the opposite direction the flange of said sleeve will engage the easwith a discharge port arranged at an angle,

a feeding mechanism provided with a plunger positioned to close said port, manually actuated means for setting said plunger to feed a predetermined amount of graphite, said manually actuated means bemg priming purposes. and means for gulding operable to fully open said port for being operable manually for priming purposes, and means connecting said ducts for connecting the duets with the respective cylinders, said means including an automatic valve for each cylinder formed to open on the suction stroke of the cylinder and to close automatically at the end of said suction stroke whereby no loss of compression is permitted While free entrance of the graphiteis allowed.

JOHN D. LOOG. 

